Monday, January 14, 2013

Jan 29: WETA shows Pioneers of Television: Superheroes

Pioneers of Television

Starting tomorrow night, tune into WETA Television for new episodes of Pioneers of Television, the Emmy-nominated series that reveals intriguing behind-the-scenes stories and fascinating facts about your favorite old television shows.

Each episode melds new interviews with iconic clips and never-before-seen photos to offer an insider's look at television's biggest celebrities. Ryan Seacrest hosts the new programs. This week's installment, Funny Ladies, spotlights the first standup comediennes and the sitcom stars that followed. Future episodes include Primetime Soaps (January 22), Superheroes (January 29) and Miniseries (February 5). Don't miss these great programs!

Pioneers of Television airs Tuesdays, January 15 - February 5 at 8:00pm on WETA Television.





Comic Riffs features Google computer animator

New Doodle4Google student contest announced: Team artist Mike Dutton spotlights the vital role of teachers
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 14 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/new-doodle4google-student-contest-announced-team-artist-mike-dutton-spotlights-the-vital-role-of-teachers/2013/01/14/cee8242a-5e7b-11e2-90a0-73c8343c6d61_blog.html#pagebreak

Kal's Kickstarter is officially Kicking!


 The New Kal Kickstarter campaign has just launched.  You can find a link here:


Fans and supporters can pre-order copies of the book, buy prints of cartoons and covers from the magazine, plus purchase one of a kind original cartoons and covers. Plus there are special rewards for those who want to join the KAL team including a book launch party at Boordy Vineyards in April. 
 
Any support the local cartoon community can offer would be great. But perhaps the best thing supporters can do to help is spread the word.  Forward the link (above) to all their contacts, friends and colleagues. The more money we raise the better quality the book will be.

Thanks very much for hearing me out!

Best

Kal
Kevin Kallaugher 

Join Kal's Kickstarter campaign!
Daggers Drawn: 35 Years of KAL Cartoons in The Economist





Friday, January 11, 2013

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Comic Riffs on animation nominations

2013 OSCARS NOMINATIONS: Brenda Chapman, Pixar's first woman director, 'overwhelmed and humbled' by 'bittersweet' nod for 'Brave'
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 10 2013

Local collector Mark Zaid picks up another job

Certified Guaranty Company (CGC®) Hires Mark S. Zaid, Esq.


SARASOTA, Florida (January 9, 2013) - The Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®), an independent member of the Certified Collectibles Group (CCG®) of companies, has hired Mark S. Zaid, P.C. as a consultant and outside counsel.

Mark will be auditing and analyzing various aspects of CGC's and CCG's operations, particularly in order to help shape the integration of CCG's newest member company, Classics Incorporated, the world's premier comic book restoration removal and pressing company. In the near future, Classics Incorporated will be renamed Classic Collectibles Services. One of Mark's tasks will be to ensure that the integration of a pressing service with a grading business will not impact the professionalism and ethics of CGC's process. "By retaining Mark as both counsel and consumer advocate, CGC is being proactive in striving to give our customers both a voice within CGC and ensure industry best practices. In turn, this move will make CGC a better, stronger company," comments Steve Eichenbaum, CCG CEO. "As always, CGC is dedicated to support and do what's best for the hobby," added Steve.

Mark is a well-known Washington, D.C. national security attorney and the owner of EsquireComics.com. He is very involved in the vintage side of comic collecting, has been an Advisor to the Overstreet Comic Book Grading and Price Guides since 2006 and was co-founder of the Comic Book Collecting Association, www.comiccollecting.org, of which Steve Eichenbaum serves on the Board of Advisors. Mark also lectures internationally on the history and social aspects of comic books.

Mark stated, "I am very pleased to have been asked to play this role for CGC and help ensure the company maintains the highest level of integrity, professionalism and ethics. There is no doubt that the stronger CGC is the better it is for the comic book community. The two are now inseparable." In order to avoid any conflict of interest, Mark's CGC Member Dealer account will be frozen during the time Mark is under contract with CGC, and he will forgo submitting any books for grading other than through third-party anonymity. Individuals can contact Mark with any concerns regarding ethics, conflicts of interest or perception of improprieties involving CGC at Mark@MarkZaid.com.

Jan 16: Comic book & thriller writer Brad Meltzer at Politics & Prose

Why should you care? On his website, Meltzer writes:

 In this case, it began with a government employee who told me that I needed to come to a secret museum that almost no one knew about.  Naturally, I was suspicious, so I asked him what they had at this so-called museum.  Then he told me:  We have pieces of Abraham Lincoln's skull, the bullet that killed him, and even the bones of John Wilkes Booth, if you want to see them.

I take issue with the 'so-called' and 'secret' - the Medical Museum's been open to visitors since the 1860s.

Brad Meltzer - The Fifth Assassin

Jan 16 2013 7:00 pm
Jan 16 2013 8:00 pm
Meltzer's latest D.C. thriller features Beecher White, hero of The Inner Circle, as he untangles a plot to kill the president—a plot that goes back to the very first presidential assassination. Researching the four successful attempts on the lives of chief executives, White discovers a long-running conspiracy.

The Fifth Assassin (Hardcover)

$27.99
ISBN-13: 9780446553971
Availability: Coming Soon - Available for Pre-Order Now
Published: Grand Central Publishing, 1/2013

District Comics on The Post's best books list

District Comics is on The Post's Best Books About Washington list.

Bill Day's 'Fund a political cartoonist for a year' needs you

As I've noted, Bill won the Washington-based Robert Kennedy Journalism award a couple of years back, and I've contributed to this campaign.

 
  • Our fundraising campaign to pay a salary to brilliant, unemployed cartoonist Bill Day is now in its final stretch. With only 16 days left in our campaign, we really need your help to get to the goal of a $35,000 for Bill, to keep him drawing cartoons and avoid foreclosure on his house! Bill is an important cartoonist, we can't afford to lose him! Please help!

    Bill filmed a short video of his own, where he talked a bit about the history of political cartoons and their importance in the growth of our society. It would be a shame to lose Bill's unique voice in our increasing homogenized media environment.

    I've been struck by some of the heartwarming comments posted by people who have already donated to Bill's campaign. "Bill Day is a brilliant political voice and I hope others will join in to keep that voice heard," a donor named Gerald wrote.

    Another donor named Jean commented, "Support Bill Day – he is a national treasure! He helps us see into the heart of things in a way no one else does." I couldn't agree more.

    For everyone that already donated – thank you! Please share this campaign again with your friends, co-workers, enemies – anyone you can think of!

    Not only would you be helping to keep our dwindling profession alive, there are some really great perks still available for donors – everything from signed prints of Bill's work to an actual original piece of Bill Day artwork, suitable for framing.

    And thank you all for your generosity and commitment to political cartoons!

    - Daryl

    (Video attached: We still have $5,000 to go to save Bill Day! )


Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Jan 16: Frank Cho appearance for new Wolverine comic

Savage Wolverine #1 Release Party with Frank Cho at Cards, Comics & Collectibles

 

From the Store that Brings You the Baltimore Comic-Con...

 

REISTERSTOWN, MD - January 7, 2013 - Cards, Comics & Collectibles, the official retailer and news source for the Baltimore Comic-Con, is happy to announce that superstar artist Frank Cho will be signing in-store on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 from 4:00 - 7:30 for their Savage Wolverine #1 Release Party.

 

Savage Wolverine, which is being written and drawn by Cho as a part of the Savage Wolverine #1Marvel NOW! initiative, is an all-out adventure story which finds the title character awaking on the shores of a mysterious and dangerous island off the coast of the Savage Land.

 

Cho's body of work at Marvel includes such titles as New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Shanna the She-Devil, New Ultimates, X-Men: Schism, and Avengers vs. X-Men. He is also well-known for his creator-owned series, Liberty Meadows and his work on Jungle Girl for Dynamite Entertainment.

 

"We couldn't be happier to have Frank in the store to celebrate the release of Savage Wolverine #1," said Marc Nathan, owner of Cards, Comics & Collectibles and show promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "Frank is a long-time friend of both the store and the Baltimore show and every time he signs here, it's a big treat for all of our customers!"

 

Everyone in attendance will receive a free Liberty Meadows 2013 calendar. In addition, one lucky customer will walk away with an original sketch on the blank cover variant of Wolverine #300 by Frank! Refreshments will be served all day, and other surprises will take place throughout the evening.

 

Cards, Comics & Collectibles is located at 100A Chartley Drive, Reisterstown, MD. For more information, please visit cardscomicscollectibles.com, our Facebook page, or call 410-526-7410.

Kids Post on the New Fantasyland

Tales as old as time get new scenery: The New Fantasland makes it easier for kids to meet Disney royalty [online title: Meet Ariel and Belle at Disney World's New Fantasyland].
By Becky Krystal,
Washington Post January 8 2013: C10.
online at

Sunday, January 06, 2013

Marvel Comics & Williams-Sonoma - together again & on sale!


These pictures were taken last night at the Williams-Sonoma kitchen store in Clarendon in Arlington. You can get a lot of baking equipment to make your Marvel Comics characters, and it's on sale! And so are the Iron Man, Captain America and Hulk spatulas - I got Iron Man! $3.99!

Photos courtesy of Claire Rhode.

2013-01-05 20.05.49

2013-01-05 20.06.24

2013-01-05 20.07.17

Schoolhouse Rock anniversary today at Kennedy Center

'Schoolhouse Rock!' 40th Anniversary Sing-along
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; http://kennedy-center.org

Articles on it are:

When 'Rock' schooled us: A capital 40th: Cartoon lessons will come to life with songwriter at singalong [online as 'Schoolhouse Rock' gets a singalong salute for its 40th anniversary]
By Monica Hesse,
Washington Post January 5 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/schoolhouse-rock-at-40/2013/01/04/0679e738-5699-11e2-a613-ec8d394535c6_story.html

'Schoolhouse Rock!' ready to ring in 40 years
Emily Cary
The Washington Examiner January 6, 2013
http://washingtonexaminer.com/article/2517578#.UOmVnncS-sd